The Fed is raising interest rates

With the Fed preparing to hike rates for the first time in nearly a decade, the question is where investors should position themselves in the market. Yes, individual names with a solid, compelling story may win the day, but it's easier (often better?) to also be invested in a ship - or fleet - that's located in a rising sea than a falling one. In other words, Know Thy Sectors!

http://www.businessinsider.com/r-which-stock-sectors-will-fed-rate-hike-help-most-history-no-guide-2015-12

Marriage for money: Pfizer and Allergan with an eye to Ireland

Yes, there are R&D benefits, an incredibly strong drug pipeline, and other solid reasons behind the merger of Pfizer and Allergan. But let's call it for what it is: an inversion deal that creates the world's largest pharmaceutical giant to maximize tax benefits. Perhaps that USA tax system will now be modified to help prevent these "traitorous" corporate moves?

Whether "un-American" or not, tax avoidance is legal, rational, and here to stay. Tax inversion deals maybe less so. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/25/business/dealbook/why-pfizers-deal-may-change-the-system-oftaxing-multinationals.html

What does the final stage of a bull market look like?

For many years now, quantitative easing and share buybacks have helped propel the US equity market forward at a much greater pace than earnings growth (when or if it has grown at all). Equity market technicals are looking weak, with successive indicators pointing to the fact that only a few companies are really pulling this market higher. Unless more companies start performing in a more bullish manner, we may be approaching a market top. Now, this years-long bull market may be entering its final stage.

The stages of a bull market and historic market tops: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/stock-market-enters-final-bull-market-stage-2015-11-16